Abstract

This paper describes the use of photocatalysis to degrade two bleaching effluents from P. radiata (D(0)E(op)) and E. grandis (CEop) wood processing. Organic matter oxidation was followed by general parameters (TOC, color, AOX), toxicity and biodegradability. Reactions with suspended and supported catalysts, TiO(2) and ZnO, were carried out for comparison. For both effluents, photocatalytic treatment led to an improvement in biodegradability and a reduction in acute toxicity. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the IAWQ. All rights reserved.